AWARE: Public Disclosure on Property Values

AWARE Coalition (Accurate Worcester Assessments on Real Estate) has been busy attempting to get the word out about the fiscal year 2012 property value assessment that is taking place.


With the forthcoming mailings, we can expect notices to be published in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, along with a number of other places with the  City of Worcester's website being the key place.


Stay tuned!

2011 AWARE Public Disclosure Property Values Explanation

How to register to VOTE!

It's hard to believe, but the City Council preliminary elections will be taking place next month on September 20, 2011.  

If you're not registered to vote, there's still time to register (deadline Aug. 31st), and participate in this year's election.

To request a form you can click on this link, which will take you to the Secretary of State's website.

Or, if you have a printer and would like to print the form and mail it to the City Clerk's Office, you can download the form here. 

Bringing down the.....

The Worcester Commons parking garage is almost fully demolished.

It's amazing to see a building that I frequented, beginning in the mid-90s, being demolished, and being prepared for an entirely new building, with a new purpose.

I just hope that the new City Square is all that and a bowl of chips.

Now, if the City could just secure a few anchor tenants, I'd feel alot better.

Starting Summtin': Gary Rosen

I read former City Councilor Gary Rosen's opinion piece in Worcester Magazine, and I immediately thought that he must have written it months in advance because he was 'off' on a number of issues.

Well, I guess I wasn't the only one that thought this because Virginia Ryan, co-chair for the Coalition of Worcester Retirees, wrote a response and it was published by Worcester Magazine. (Hat-tip WoMag.)

After all, it is June, and we can look forward to a preliminary election in September, but we know that the voter's attention is on anything but the upcoming City Council elections.

With the Boston Bruins winning the Stanley Cup, and the kiddies about to get out of school for the summer, the average person isn't thinking about this election cycle. But, we can rest assured that after the 4th of July, things will begin to heat up.

So, I wonder if Gary Rosen knew he'd be starting summtin' when he penned his missive? I'm sure he did......he is a teacher after all!

Ash Wednesday: Puff...Puff....Pass

"No one puts new wine into old wineskins...but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins.- Mark 2:22

When people begin to speak about using drugs to cope with life, my mind quickly turns to marijuana.  Ganja, herb, grass, chronic, sensimella or whatever you want to call it is smoked by millions of people all over the world, some for medical purposes and some simply for the purpose of getting "high" and changing their mental state.

Well, as I've written numerous times on Worcester Is MAJOR!, I grew up in the Caribbean where marijuana usage was seen as "normal".  Now, I knew that marijuana was illegal then as it is now, but I have never known anyone to smoke a joint, and get so "high" that they choose to go out and destroy something or do harm to another human being.

In a time when the economy is more depressed than Charlie Sheen, it's hard to realize who is "winning" the war on drugs.

I guess William Breault is sick and tired of walking in his neighborhood, and catching a contact from all the weed smoke in the air?  Well, Billy, there are BIGGER issues than increasing fines to people smoking weed in public places.

For example, I'd rather have City Hall and Worcester focus on doing away with this dual-tax rate.  Why do you think we have all these vacant, depressed buildings that would be great for businesses looking to take advantage of the brain power in Worcester & Worcester County?  What business would want to call the City their home when they're going to be hit over the head with
a tax rate that would make them feel worse than a hit of chronic from a bong?  Puff....puff...pass.

That's right!  Any business, whether small or large will easily "pass that shit" and pass on Worcester.  And, who's to blame?  Well, we the citizens of Worcester are the ones to blame because while some have argued for years to "fix" the dual-tax rate issue, their voices have been silenced and Michael O'Brien and the City Council have turned a deaf ear to them.  Well, the time to get LOUD is NOW! 

Stay tuned!

Old Enough to Drink

We know that Worcester is a college town, despite what City Hall and our City Councilors may say.  With a student population that grows by close to 20,000 every fall, there is no denying it and these under 21-year-olds are going to get their hands on alcohol "By Any Means Necessary".

There are two kinds of students: those that possess a fake ID that affords them the ability to buy alcohol or the underclassman that knows an upperclassmen that serves as their 'supplier', buying them everything under the sun from Boone's Farm, Mad Dog 20/20, Cisco, Pabst Blue Ribbon and Old Milwaukee's Best beer (hey, most college kids don't have alot of money to afford the 'good stuff').

Four Loko, which was referred to as "witch's brew" by Connecticut Senator-elect Richard Blumenthal, was a perfectly marketed beverage that college-aged drinkers consumed as a pregaming beverage.

Having experienced college at a Bryant University (when I attended, it was Bryant College) it was a prerequisite to 'pregame' before venturing to either a baseball, fraternity or a DAWGS party and I witnessed friends pounding Natural Ice beers like they were drinking Gatorade or slinging back shots of Jim Bean, Southern Comfort or Goldschlager (some folks I knew had a little more "paper" to buy the 'good stuff'.) 

I never understood the concept of 'getting nice' before heading out to a party.  Having grown up in the Virgin Islands where the legal drinking age is 21-years-old, but it was hardly enforced.  It used to be that if you could reach the bar, you could order a drink, and, if questioned, you could just say that it was for your father who was sitting in the car. (I miss those days.)

Also, I grew up in a household where alcohol was very plentiful, and I was able to have my first alcoholic drink at 8-years-old (Kahlua and milk).

So, my argument for lowering the drinking age to 18-years-old comes with a belief that if we do a better job educating young adults about drinking in moderation, and seeing older adults modeling the benefits of socializing with their fellow higher-learning road warriors, there would be less trips to the local emergency rooms for alcohol-related issues.

Having worked at two Catholic, Jesuit colleges in Massachusetts, I can tell you firsthand stories of students falling down stairs, falling out of windows, being struck by cars or committing a violent act while drunk.  Some of these incidents, to this day, leave me shaking my head and questioning.......everything.

 Two years ago a new program was launched by a number of college and university presidents--the Amethyst Initiative.  The purpose of the Amethyst Initiative was to serve as a way for colleges to discuss the drinking age and their hope to lower the drinking age to 18-years-old.  After the Amethyst Initiative was launched MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) looked to persuade parents to not send their children to those schools, of which, a number of them are in Massachusetts- Tufts, Mount Holyoke, Emerson, Smith, Holy Cross, and the University of Massachusetts. 

So, the conversation about lowering the legal drinking age has no legs to stand on, and we're stuck at an impasse with a pack of elephants that are blocking the road.

With the banned sale of Four Loko we can look upon the horizon, and I can foresee the next item that will be debated and banned by the FDA: Cream. (Really, that's it's name.)

Cream, a whipped cream with 30-proof alcohol, hit Boston and Worcester liquor store shelves in November.  It comes in six flavors and doesn't need to be refrigerated.(perfect for collegiate, right?)  The product's website states that each can contains 26 shots, and Cream is especially tasty on Jell-O shots or "straight up" from the can.  Does this stuff sound familiar?

Council Cuts

I read a few online posts this morning about proposed cuts that the City Council is discussing and actively pushing.
Knowing that Worcester's economic future continues to look bleak, this is a precarious tact to take: offer early-retirement packages with the hopes of saving money.
Whenever talks turn to saving money to pay for "general services", there is typically a group of people that are all for it.
The old adage of, "robbing Peter to pay Paul" always makes me laugh because inevitably, it's a scenario that causes more issues down the road that we aren't able to forecast or know what impact those decisions might have on other municipal services and the people that call Worcester their home.
Besides prayer and putting our trust in the Councilors, what else are we left to do? I can think of a few choice words, but I'm trying very hard not to curse.

Arizona: Here I Go!

It's time to put this out there and there's no reason to tip-toe around this fact. There are racists in the United States of America and many of them are the leaders that are elected by the people of the United States of America.

While I've met my share of prejudice and racist folks in Massachusetts or New England, for that matter, I know that not all folks are bigots.

What I struggle with today, more than ever, is that if you have a problem working with women, Latinos, Asians, Blacks (Yes, I use the word "Black" because I'm not a politically correct asshole that thinks Ronald Reagan was the best President and praise him for introducing "African-American" to our vocabulary.) and a truly diverse group of people, then you are going to struggle and you're going to have a very frustrating life. Believe that!

The debate that's taking place involving Arizona and Senate Bill 1070 is very interesting because there are people on the left, people on the right and, of course, people smack-dab in the middle. The folks in the middle are caught in mental double-dutch.

While I think that what the City Council pulled last week spearheaded by District 3 City Councilor, Paul Clancy, is truly a "bitch ass move", we have to STAND UP for something and decide what side of the debate the City is on.

Now, just as in life, we know that as more information is shared our position may change, slightly, but that's the beauty of all of this......we can debate and change our minds. It's called free will.

I think the Tea Party that protested outside City Hall last week do serve a purpose, but I do have an issue with their belief that their position is the ONLY position. We can agree to disagree and that's what a democracy is. (Hey, you don't have to stick your head up a horses ass to see shit; we can all agree we can look around and see it everywhere.)

Let the debate continue.

Grand Hustle 101: Providence Street Playground (cont.)

Remember when I wrote about the proposed $455k playground that is going to be built on Providence Street to benefit the Vernon Hill School? I wrote about it here, here and here .

Well, the construction has gotten under way and while there are new sidewalks and, generally speaking, there is no way that this playground cost $455,000!

If so, then I know that the playground has been aptly named "Grand Hustle".



I think it's time for Worcester to have it's own version of "The Ultimate Hustler" reality television show and topping the list of participants, in no particular order we would have:

• Paul P. Clancy, Jr., District 3 City Councilor
• Robert L. Moylan, Jr., Commissioner, Department of Public Works & Parks
• Michael V. O'Brien, City Manager
• Konstantina B. Lukes, Councilor-at-Large
• Melinda J. Boone, Superintendent, Worcester Public Schools
• Mauro DePasquale, Executive Director, WCCA TV13
  

I don't watch reality television shows, but rest assured that I'd be sure to tune in or set the DVR to record that bad boy! It would be straight comedy and great entertainment.



Maybe we can convince Andrea Ajemian and Kaz Gamble of "Worcester Love" and "We Got the Beat" to direct and film the show, and have Mike Benedetti of "508" be the host? But only if we can have Brendan Melican be the Trump-like boss that kicks people off the show or has the group complete an task such as carrying two fifty-pound weights, one in each hand, up and down George Street until there's only one person standing.

Hmmmmmmmmm.

City Council:"That's a B*#@H Ass Move!"

I love people that aren't afraid to speak their mind and are bold in the face of opposition. That being said, when I heard that Councilor Rick Rushton has decided to add to the City Council's agenda an item to stop doing business with any businesses in the state of Arizona, I thought that was a bold and good move.

It appears that after getting some media attention outside of Worcester and outside of Massachusetts, Rick Rushton decided to have the item filed and then allows the Dean of the City Council, Paul Clancy, to "punk" him.

While I understand Clancy's position to not have the City Council decide how it's going to handle interacting or doing business with businesses in Arizona, I think we have to be bold in the face of opposition and "Man up". What Clancy did to Rick is what he's done for years and no one pushes back.

As one gentleman said, after the City Council meeting, "That's a Bitch-Ass move!"

Sir, I have to agree with that statement one hundred percent.

With all the talk about Marketing

The talk about marketing Worcester has been getting alot of press as of late. It may have started elsewhere, but Konnie Lukes brought it up at a City Council meeting earlier in January, and now we saw Worcester Magazine publish not only a cover to that effect, but a well written article in their February 18-24, 2010, issue.

While I've been observant for the many years that I've lived in Worcester, the City does a horrible job with conveying its message of "What type of city Worcester is??", and "Why should someone choose to live here?". The city's slogan changes every week, depending on who uses the next set of "buzz words" in some meeting which is squirreled away in the corner of City Hall.

While there's no specific budget to market Worcester, and this MUST be addressed immediately, there are a number of 'great' minds that live in the City or surrounding towns that know a thing or two about marketing; why not tap into that pool of knowledge? Hmmmm.

What does happen is the same people that are 'connected' sit on the same marketing committees and rehash the same marketing plans that haven't worked before, and try to make them work 6-months or a year later. Isn't that called insanity? Hmmmmm.

So, while I don't have all the answers, it is going to take some people in City Hall to check their egos and reach across the table and hit up the colleges/ universities that call Worcester home. They do have some of the best and brightest minds on their campuses.

And, while you're reaching out, don't forget the various groups of races and ethnicities that call Worcester home. True diversity is key! (Just a reminder.)

Konnie puttin' in Work: Reusable Bag Debate

Wow, I guess now that Konnie is no longer the Mayor, but rather a Councilor-at-Large, she feels the collar has been removed and is ready to revisit an old proposal?

The plastic bag debate has been going on for sometime, but it is time for the City of Worcester to get with 20X and be a leader on this cause.

Konnie's pushing for reusable bag program in Worcester.

Haiti: Worcester's Role

While it's been 8-days since the earthquake struck the island of Hispaniola, the 24-hour news coverage, the pictures and the stories about those living in Haiti continue to blow my mind.

While through tragedy it's tough to find a silver lining, I wholeheartedly believe that for many years the United States has turned a blind-eye to Haiti, but now the entire world is paying attention to this grief-stricken country. It's a shame that it took such a tragedy that forced us to take off the blinders, but now we can do something.

Here in Worcester, the City has organized an event to help raise funds for Haiti Relief. The event is taking place on Friday, January 22, 2010, from 5 pm to 8 pm at Union Station.

Worcester Retirees: All We Got for Christmas is Screwed

When Virginia Ryan goes at City Council and the Councilors, you never know what you're going to get, but rest assured that she's not afraid to "mix it up" with the best of them, more notably District 3 Councilor, Paul Clancy.

Here's what she had to write in this weekend's Coalition of Worcester Retirees & Workers United:

GARY ROSEN will be covering Peter Blute's show on WCRN on Monday, Tuesday and
Wednesday from 6-9 AM. Paul Clancy is his co-host on Monday. You might
want to call on Monday to chat with Paul. 508-438-0965
Mike Germain is cohost on Tuesday and Rick Rushton on Weds.

ASSIGNMENT FOR RETIREES: Call Monday and ask Councilor Clancy when he is going to retire. He filed our petition for Section 19 right into the basket at the December 1st City Council meeting (see Clancy Lowers the Boom on Workers United) below. Former longtime Worcester City Parks Commissioner Nugent would often say to people who asked when he was going to retire, about 8 PM tonight.

Make sure Councilor Clancy understands your question that is, when is he going to retire from the City Council and enjoy a true retirement, traveling and going to a warmer climate in the winter. Frank Beshai ran a great campaign and came in second with I think 40% of the vote in that district.

Secondly, those of you who receive no Social Security checks and will begin paying $110.50 a month (see attachment) as you are not being "held harmless" should also call Councilor Clancy tomorrow morning. Your Part B Medicare is much higher than mine. Thank Paul for co-sponsoring Section 18 along with former city councilor Mike Perotto. I understand Mike is going to run for Rep. Spellane's seat.

Thirdly, don't think I am going to do it for you. This is your homework.
Fourthly, no City Council meeting this Tuesday. School vacation. Huh?

Worcester Medicare Cost 2000-2010

'Da Face' of Worcester No More

Well, looky here! Affectionately known as 'Da Face to us here at WIM, Konstantina Lukes will have to turn over her gavel to Mayor Joe O'Brien in the very near future.

While Konnie remains on the City Council as the #2, Joe O'Brien can claim that, "He's #1 in the #2 business."

Not that I had a personal issue with Mayor Lukes, but I always thought she took the Mayoral job as a "window dressing-like" job to the extreme. In the same token, I have to admit that I would laugh-out-loud when I would see her throw a glare towards a Councilor who either was talking just talk, or struggled to figure out where she/he was going with their tirade.

'Da Face was so good at it that our own Governor Patrick got in her grill at a meeting in January earlier this year.

WIM post January 27, 2009:

Well, I guess I'm not the only one that notices 'da face, because it appears that Governor Patrick, got 'da face at the recent Massachusetts Municipal Association meeting and had to go 'hard body' and call Mayor Lukes on the snicker a/k/a/ grimace a/k/a/ pucker that she hit the Governor with.

Now that Mayor O'Brien is going to take over the reigns, I can't wait to see how he and Konnie look at each other, and the other Councilors at upcoming City Council meetings? Only time will tell. (Bell rings.)

Politics: Candidate Meet & Greet

Coming on the heels of my previous post, I received this email from Stand for Children inviting me to RSVP and attend a Mayoral candidate forum taking place on Monday, October 19, 2009, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at The Beechwood Hotel.

I will say to act quickly because I know the space is limited and I'm sure alot of folks will want to hear what the candidates have to say.

Politics: What You Don't know May Hurt You

What do we know about the candidates running for City Council? A few
have become masters of deception, and a few bank on the fact that the
less they talk or 'reveal' about themselves, the better their chances
are for being elected once again.

So, what do we know about those running?

Worcester Pools: Michael O'Brien Running Things

I guess folks at the City Council meeting got upset by an item that was supposed to have been tabled, but it was voted on, and passed with an 8 to 3 vote in favor of a $2.5 million pool at Crompton Park.

I told y'all last week what City Manager Michael O'Brien believes wholeheartedly.....I RUN this City!

Let's Make This Official (LMTO)

The deadline for "pulling papers" (I've always wondered where that phrase comes from. It seems to be a New England thing.) was yesterday and it's now official that there WON'T be a preliminary election in September.

The campaigning has already begun, but expect to see things ramped up quite a bit in the coming weeks.

Just remember this post when heading to cast your vote come November.

CORI Reform: Slow Your Roll

This evening inside the City Council Chamber, at City Hall, there's going to be a meeting at 6:30 pm to discuss Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and how it is used for hiring full-time and part-time employees, as well as volunteering.

The meeting is being sponsored by the Worcester CORI Reform Coalition and a number of organizations such as Neighbor to Neighbor, American Civil Liberties Union-Worcester County Chapter, Office of Congressman Jim McGovern and Senator Harriet Chandler, to name a few.

Even City Manager, Michael V. O'Brien, has weighed in on CORI usage in today's T&G and asks for the City to pump the brakes to look more closely at how the City uses CORI throughout the hiring process.

CORI Meeting June 2, 2009

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